Halfshaft Length and R200 Swap

[Miles]

240Z vs 280Z halfshaft length:

There has been much debate about halfshaft length and the R200 swap with the concern being that the R200 driver's side halfshaft is shorter to compensate for the R200 which bulges to the driver's side. The point being that if you use the 240Z driver's side halfshaft it will be too long and will bottom out causing binding of the suspension. Also, I have read of complaints about the 240Z driver's side halfshaft not fitting during installation.

I just measured a left and right 78 280z half shaft in the fully compressed position. They were both 12 1/2 inches center to center as measured at the fixed part of the yolk. I then measured the left and right halfshaft in the fully extended position and got 14 1/8 inches for the right side shaft and 13 7/16 inches for the left side shaft for a 11/16 inch difference. Is that enough to make a difference?

Question: Has anyone who did the R200 swap using their 240Z halfshafts actually experience the driver's side halfshaft bottoming out or any installation or suspesion problems?

[beandip]

I have a '73 240 that I have installed the R-200 with the 240 half shafts . I have right about 16K on it since I installed the diff. No problen so far. I don't use the car on the track but have done plenty of spirited driving in the mountains and all is good . Gary:laugh:

[Curtis240Z]

I have done the R200 swap with 240Z halfshafts at least 3 different times. The last time was about 2 months ago to put in a Quaife. It is true that the left side halfshaft will be fully compressed when you get it installed due to the R200 larger size, but we haven't experienced any binding problems. Just make sure you line up the yolks before you secure the diff in place because the halfshaft won't have enough compression to do the install after the diff and strut assembly are bolted in place.

[jmortensen]

The fact that you can drive the car without noticing the issue doesn't mean the issue doesn't exist. Parts deflect, bushings deflect, and these will mask the issue. I autoxed my Z with my rear swaybar bound up horribly for years. I only figured it out when I went to upgrade it to adjustable end links and manually moved it through its travel.

The only way to know for sure is to take the spring off the driver's side rear and manually lift the control arm through it's travel and feel for bind.

[Miles]

The R200 front differential mounting bracket has the differential offset to the passenger side. Can someone compare side by side the R180 and R200 front mount and the mustache bars. Here are some pictures of the R200 bolted to the front mount bracket. Could it be that Datsun offset the R200 mounts to the passenger side to compensate for the wider R200?

[240kconvertible]

Forget the R200 put a R230 into it

Sorry for the hijack Miles just wanted to show off my new diff.